Sports

NBA Draft 2021 presented by State Farm® was held Thursday, July 29 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and reached fans in 215 countries and territories in 25 languages. The Detroit Pistons selected Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham with the first pick in the NBA Draft. This marked the first time in 51 years and third time overall that the Pistons made the top pick.

Eighteen international players from 15 countries were selected: nine in the first round and nine in the second round. Australian Josh Giddey, a graduate of NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia, became the first NBA Academy graduate to be drafted into the NBA when he was selected 6^th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

A record 10 former Basketball Without Borders (BWB) campers were drafted, breaking the previous record of eight set in 2019. 

Six players with direct ties to Africa have been selected:

·       Jonathan Kuminga (Democratic Republic of the Congo) – selected 7^th by the Golden State Warriors

·       Usman Garuba (Spain/Nigerian parents) – selected 23^rd by the Houston Rockets

·       JT Thor (USA/South Sudanese parents) – selected 37^th by the Detroit Pistons

·       Ayo Dosunmu (USA/Nigerian parents) – selected 38^th by the Chicago Bulls

·       Neemias Queta (Portugal/parents from Guinea-Bissau) – selected 39^th by the Sacramento Kings

·       Charles Bassey (Nigeria) – selected 53^rd by the Philadelphia 76ers

NBA G League Ignite forward Jonathan Kuminga was selected No. 7 overall by the Golden State Warriors, becoming the highest-drafted player from the Democratic Republic of the Congo since Emmanuel Mudiay was also selected No. 7 overall in 2015. Kuminga was ranked by ESPN as the top high school prospect in the Class of 2021 before reclassifying to the Class of 2020 and joining NBA G League Ignite. He moved to the U.S. from his native Democratic Republic of the Congo to pursue basketball in 2016.

Born to Nigerian parents, forward Usman Garuba of Spain, is already considered one of the best young defenders in Europe as a 19-year-old and is a member of the Spain Men’s National Team in the Tokyo Olympics. Garuba helped Spain win gold medals at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship, earning All-Star Five honors, and the 2016 FIBA U16 European Championship, where he was named MVP.

Charles Bassey was named an All-Star at Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global Camp 2017, which was held in New Orleans as part of NBA All-Star 2017, and MVP of BWB Global 2018, which was held in Los Angeles as part NBA All-Star 2018.

“At the end of the day I just want to be remembered as that guy who brought a team to a championship, who won a championship. At the end of the day I want to be Hall of Fame, so I want to have a great career where everybody going to be talking about I want to model my game to Jonathan at some point,” says Jonathan Kuminga

“Starting from [Dikembe] Mutombo, going to Giannis who just won a championship, you know. I want to be in that category. I want to be one of those players where coming from Africa and one day do something big in the NBA. So basically I’m looking forward to going to Golden State and help the team and just be that one African kid that’s going to come out there and do everything that I can do to help a team to win,” affirms Jonathan whose origins are from the Democratic Republic of Congo

By Samuel Ouma

Former US President Barrack Obama has joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa as a strategic partner to help advance social responsibility efforts across the continent, announced the association on Tuesday.

He will be the minority stakeholder in the organization, a position he intends to use in the future to fund Obama Foundation youth and leadership programs across Africa.

“By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa’s young people,” said Obama.

In the release, the ex-POTUS highlighted his love for the sport during his tenure. He noted that his father, a Kenyan, made him love the game when he gave him his first basketball at age 10.

“The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States—using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent,” he stated.

NBA Africa is making tremendous progress in Africa, including running Basket Africa League, inaugurated in May 2021 featuring 12 teams. It also expands the NBA’s presence in priority African markets, deepening the league’s engagement with players and fans across the continent and growing Africa’s basketball ecosystem through programs like the Jr. NBA, Basketball Without Borders (BWB) and NBA Academy Africa.

“I’ve been impressed by the league’s commitment to Africa, including the leadership shown by so many African players who want to give back to their own countries and communities.  That’s why I’m proud to join the team at NBA Africa and look forward to a partnership that benefits the youth of so many countries.”

“The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States—using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa,” he added.

By Boris Esono Nwenfor*

On April 18, the global sporting world was united against the proposed European Super League which will involve a select few participating years in year out. European governing body, UEFA was against the idea and even FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino was against the idea.

Within a couple of hours, the majority of the clubs involved in the proposed league backtracked and the competition died an untimely death. Football breathes a sigh of relief not knowing that this same idea had been proposed to the African continent by a man who was against the ESL idea, Gianni Infantino. 

This, therefore, begs the question of what the motive Gianni Infantino has on the continent and if he had a share of the cake with the European Super League he would have a campaign against it.

A close-shop like the European Super League

Infantino raised the idea first in 2019 saying it would comprise 20 permanent member clubs plus others that would qualify via regional competitions, predicting the Super League with a payment of $20m every year over five years would have the potential to generate a revenue of $3 billion over a five-year cycle.

The creation of an African Super League could make it one of the top ten football competitions in the world, changing the financial reality of football on the continent, according to the FIFA President.

“We have had some serious problems in Africa and it has to change. It has to change the way of how to do business, it has to take on board the basic elements of good governance,” he said.

“There needs to be proper competition infrastructure. I think it is fair to say that the competitions in Africa are 30-to-40 times less successful than in Europe,” he said on Monday.

The criteria for selecting the 20 clubs have yet to be made known which beg the question Will it be based on the CAF club coefficient? On historical performance? On club profile and followership? And what will happen to the CAF Confederations Cup and CAF Champions League?

Al Ahly, reigning African champions and the most successful club in the continent’s history, is reportedly vehemently opposed to the idea. However, other clubs have already jumped on the bag wagon and campaigning for a place in the proposed new competition.

Simba CEO Barbara Gonzalez after the election of the new CAF President promptly tweeted to the effect that plans to execute the Super League were underway.

“It was great catching up with FIFA President, Gianni Infantino on the sidelines of the CAF Elections 2021. The rollout of the African Super League with 20 permanent member clubs is underway. We look forward to having Simba SC Tanzania participate soon.”

CAF President Patrice Motsepe in Support of African Super League

The hand of Infantino is impossible to miss in the politics of the continent’s football, and so it was that, upon the confirmation of Motsepe, he was present. FIFA president was seen as a close ally of the former CAF President Ahmad Ahmad who was banned from football-related activities due to mismanagement.

And it seems the new CAF President Patrice Motsepe is looking to be an ally of Infantino with the CAF President already loving the idea saying it was needed to improve the game on the continent and make it financially viable.

“We are assessing and in preliminary discussions to start an inclusive and broadly supported and beneficial CAF African Super League,” he said in a statement. “We have been following the attempts by some top European clubs to form a Euro Super League and will learn from their experience and pitfalls.”

Motsepe said CAF, which is African football’s controlling body, must consider new competitions to generate additional income for itself and its member associations and “also contribute to African football becoming globally competitive and self-sustaining.”

Motsepe, who took on the job in March, also said that CAF’s image needed improving. “There is a poor perception of CAF concerning its adherence to governance, auditing, ethical, and financial and management good practices,” he said.

Dr Patrice Motsepe added: “These negative perceptions may, to some extent, be confirmed by the incriminating and damning audit which identified irregular, unethical and improper transactions and conduct.”

“CAF should be seen as a body that adheres to good governance, ethics and financial and management best practices. It is also important that the quality of [our] competitions are globally competitive and appealing to spectators, viewers and interested parties in Africa and globally.”

Why is the world silent about the African Super League?

On April 18, the birth of the European Super League was announced by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to the dissatisfaction of managers, players and European and World Football governing bodies.

“I can only say my personal opinion. I do not like it and hopefully, it does not happen,” Liverpool player James Milner said about the proposition of the ESL.

“I fell in love with popular football, with the football of the fans, with the dream of seeing the team of my heart compete against the greatest,” PSG Player Ander Herrera wrote on Twitter.

“If this European Super League advances, those dreams are over, the illusions of the fans of the teams that are not giants of being able to win on the field competing in the best competition will end.”

The world seems to be silent on this idea being proposed by FIFA President on the African continent. The voices who were against the ESL seemingly have forgotten about that being proposed to Africa.

“What this accurately conveys is that, for all that the proposed profit margins are heady and exciting; the demand for an African Super League is pretty much nil. It is an idea that, in its current guise, benefits no agenda but Fifa’s,” Solace Chukwu wrote in a piece for Goal.

*Culled from July Issue of PAV Magazine

By Lamrana Barrie

On Thursday 22^nd July the executive committee of the Sierra Leone football Association appointed the chairman of Bo Rangers Babadi Kamara as the new team manager of Leone Stars.

A press release by the Sierra Leone football Association states that the appointment came as a result of preparation for the 2022 African cup Nation. The committee approved the appointment of Babadi Kamara as the new team manager of Sierra Leone National Men’s Team Leone Stars.

Furthermore SLFA is expecting Kamara to commence work in his new office immediately as his contract is subject to renewal, which will come to an end on the 31^st July 2023.

Babadi Kamara has been an active member in Sierra Leone football .He was with the team that traveled to Guinea and is also the chairman for Bo Rangers football club.

The Sierra Leone Football Association encourages the General public to contact Babadi Kamara on any issues related to Leone Stars with effect from today Thursday 22^nd July 2022.

By Lamrana Barrie

On Saturday 17th July 2021, Leone Stars player Kei Kamara spoke about the $10,000 the president gave them for qualifying to Afcon 2022.

Kamara acknowledge that he has receive the $10,000 live on Facebook today, He said the Money was supposed to be shared among all the players that are on the campaign of the qualification, He also said even those that trained with the team but did not make it to the Final list should have a share.

“Me, Umaru and Keister discussed this on a meeting and agreed that everyone should have a share, about 57 players in total”, said.

He Further says that they discuss this with Thomas Daddy Brima about that he told them that they are the players if they decide to do that no problem.

Kei Kamara also spoke about the list that came out with 57 players he said the list is not a fake list of players and SLFA sat down together to give that list.

Kamara expressed concern that some of the officials who have already have the plots of land should not have the $10,000. He said they are being paid and should not have same match bonus like them.

He concluded by saying he stands for the players and they should have what they deserve.

By Lamrana Barrie 

 The ministry of finance release the sum of Le3,783,987,412 for sierra Leone to partake in the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic  which will be in Tokyo, Japan.

On the press release from the ministry of finance states that the 3.7 billions Leones have transferred  to the National Sport Authority account for them to disburse it to the National Olympic comitee.

On the press release the ministry of finance states that the Money is meant for Allowances, accommodation,feeding and other expenses including return for the Athletes and officials of both Olympic and Paralympic Games respectively.

Eric Batillo Fomba The media and communication man for the National Sport Authority on a phone conversation  confirm that the said amount on the press release from the ministry of finance has been receive by National Sport Authority

By Lamrana Barrie

25 year old Sullay Kaikai a Sierra Leonean international has signed a two year contract with English league one side  Wycombe Wanders from Blackpool.

Kaikai spent two years with Blackpool  and also played an important role for Blackpool to gain promotion to the championship.

Kaikai signed a two year contract today after Blackpool release him on a free transfer to Wycombe Wanders. In an interview after he has sign he express how delighted he is to be at the club.

He further went on to say he will help the team  promote to the championship this season and hope to bring excitement to the fans.

Sullay made his first debut for Sierra Leone against Benin, He played an important role to see Leone stars qualify to the Africa cup of Nation 2022.

By Lamrana Barrie

The Newly elected President of o f the Sierra Leone Football Association Thomas Daddy Brima departed Freetown yesterday to attend his first CAF members Association Presidents meeting holding in Casablanca Morocco on the 17th July, 2021.

In an Article from the official website page of the Sierra Leone Football Association confirmed that Thomas Daddy Brima arrived safely this morning  in Casablanca.

It Further states that after the meeting, Brima and CAF President Motsepe will witness the CAF champions league final between South Africa Kaiser Chiefs and Egypt Al Ahly at the Stade Mohamed(v) in Morocco.

Thomas Daddy Brima is expected to reunite with the former president of SLFA in Morocco, Madam Isha Johansen who is currently a member of FIFA council and CAF executive committee.

By Lamarana Barrie

Following the $10,000 the president promise each player for the qualification of the 2022 Africa cup of Nation in Cameroon, earlier this month the ministry of finance in a press release told the General public that 4.1 billions Leones has been deposited to the National Sport Authority account.

In a  press release from National Sport Authority yesterday confirm the disbursement of the 100,000,000 to the 11 official and the 30 players bank accounts.

The National Sport Authority further thanked the ministry of finance the players and officials for their tremendous effort.

By Samuel Ouma

The seven-times World Rally Champion Sebastian Ogiek has donated € 20000 to assist the needy access education and support wildlife conservancy in Kenya.

In a post on his Facebook account on Tuesday evening, the Frenchman said half of the amount would be channeled to the Nakuru Children’s Project. The other half will go to the Olpejeta Conservancy.

Nakuru Children’s Project is a UK-based charity that helps children achieve their dreams through education, whereas the Olpejeta Conservancy

works to conserve wildlife, provide a sanctuary for great apes, and generate income through wildlife tourism for re-investment in conservation and community development.

The donations come just a few weeks after Ogiek emerged Safari Rally Kenya champion. The race was held in the East African nation after nineteen years.

“A few weeks ago, we were celebrating our 4th win of the season at the World Rally Championship in Naivasha, with incredible support from locals in the most amazing nature. It was my first time in Africa and I was overwhelmed by the beauty of Kenya, the warm-hearted people and its incredible wildlife.This wonderful country has got a place in my heart,” wrote Ogiek.

“I will support the Nakuru Children’s Project  with 10,000 Euros and another 10,000 Euros to conserve wildlife at the Olpejeta Conservancy,” he further stated.

-82 delegates voted in favour of the adoption of the texts while 11 voted against with 2 null votes.

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

The extraordinary General Assembly of Cameroon’s Football governing body FECAFOOT finally took place this Tuesday, July 13after a dispute had ensued about the eligibility of the delegates to take part.

The adoption of the new statutes and texts for the structure paves the way forward for the election process to begin at the Departmental, Regional levels before the election at the National level will take place later this year. The texts were voted in conformity with the 2012 Statutes at FECAFOOT.

A total of 82 delegates voted in favour of the adoption of the texts while 11 delegates voted against its adoption. There were 2 null votes.

Cameroon’s Minister of Sports Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi had earlier suspended the holding of the General Assembly. In a letter addressed to FECAFOOT on July 8, Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi noted that the football governing body had disregarded the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sports taken on January 15, 2021, and that of the Chamber of Conciliation and Arbitration of Sports at the Cameroon National Olympic and Sporting Committee.

FECAFOOT on its part stated that on January 16, 2021, correspondence from FIFA through the Court of Arbitration for Sports recognized the acting executives and noted that their term of office will be terminated when new members have been voted into the Cameroon Football Federation.

As presented in the response by FECAFOOT, the 2009 mandate ended in 2013 according to points 181, 182, 187, 198 and 221 of the decision of the Court of Arbitration of January 15, 2021.

The present bureau led by its interim President Seidou Mbombo Njoya has been duly recognized by CAF and FIFA who backed the bureau and called for the General Assembly to be held as programmed. The African and World football governing bodies even went further to designate two delegates of their own to ensure that the process went on smoothly.

The decisions from CAF and FIFA seemed to be have been the last straw as the government officials who were against the General Assembly conceded and gave the go-ahead.

Additional changes on the 2012 Statutes and Texts

The new texts that take into account the electoral code, code of ethics and financial status of the football governing body has witnessed a slight change from the 2012 statutes and text. Some three vital changes were adopted to give Cameroon’s football that professional touch it has been longing for.

The delegates agreed on the dissolution of the Professional Football League and the creation of a new league in view. This is one of the stumbling blocks that have created problems in Cameroon. The issues of management led to “fighting” between the Professional led by General Pierre Semengue and FECAFOOT. This resulted in the former being suspended and it is the issue that has dragged on till now.

Another additional change in the text is the reduction of the number of participating delegates from 90 to 60. From now each region will be represented by six delegates and not nine; while Six and not five club presidents will represent League One and Two from now on.

“The General Assembly held in a constructive and positive atmosphere, the delegates were curious and helped in the revision and adoption of the new texts that will in the future open doors to elections at FECAFOOT and generally, the growth of local football, and the upcoming 2021 AFCON”, FECAFOOT interim President Seidou Mbombo Njoya said.

The extraordinary General Assembly saw the presence of the Honorary President of CAF, Issa Hayatou, President of the Cameroon Olympic Committee, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, two renowned football actors, Owona Pascal and Onana Vincent were all special guests.

Will the adoption bring things to normalcy? That is the million-dollar question that sports lovers in the country are asking. One will think that the adoption of the new texts governing FECAFOOT will calm the nerves of those who are against the present interim bureau at FECAFOOT.

By Lamarana Barrie

Alpha Bedor Conteh from Central Parade Football Club who went to Israel last month with three other players on a month trial at top tier club Hapoel  Tel Aviv is at the verge of signing his first professional contract.

Sigismond Nicol the spokesman  of Central Parade football club  on a phone conversation with this reporter confirmed that the player excelled at his trials and the team has agreed on personal terms with the player.

He further indicated that that the Israeli team Hapoel  Tel Aviv and Central Parade have agreed on the transfer fee but reserved details for later.

More to follow.